a picture a day....

Today...

Look at you Lee, having all sorts of fun! I don't know how you do it, but I am glad your able to take it all on!

Lee, I was thinking just what Mike wrote!  Thank you for sharing your wonderful experiences with us!!!

@mike g. posted:

I don't know how you do it, but I am glad your able to take it all on!

Thanks (you too, Mark)! It helps if you know the right people. The train was in East Olympia for the week training emergency responders on how to deal with a crashed train. I found that ironic as they didn't bring a Talgo train, and used the older commuter cars and the gutted F-40/P42 push combo that will all be gone once the new Talgos arrive.

They said they were doing this as they plan on using the Point Defiance line this fall (yes, where 501 had the deadly derailment at DuPont), so familiarizing local responders to a train crash is something they usually do for a new route.

Anyway, a pal of mine is the fire chief here in Rochester (and also a layout design and wiring guru, without whom I never could have finished my own layout) and he got me and some other railfans access for an hour or so. I got to walk all inside a P42 which was very interesting (and as surprised how little room there is in one of those).

One of my favorite Santa Fe ABBA sets. One of the B units has the new (1993) “Rail Sounds”.

For Today: " The Crew Change ....

Engineer Elmer Fadely gently eases the 611 to a full stop.  He's been at the throttle for quite some time and it's now time to change crews.  

Practically all Elmer could think about since mile post 317 is sitting down to a nice supper at Pootsy's Place, a local restaurant known for larger portions and  extremely popular among railroaders.  Some 8 years and 40 pounds ago Elmer's walked through the front door of Pootsy's and has been a regular ever since that day when he took his first bite of Pootsy's homestyle cookin!   The sign that adorns Pootsy's Place reads " At Pootsy we are about  EQuality & EQuantity ... Extra Quality and Extra Quantity!"  Elmer is so regular that upon walking in the door, Poosty herself greats him with a big HELLO ELMER! as she leads him to his favorite booth near the window.  Elmer is always a generous tipper too, which certainly enhances his VIP reputation at Pootsys.

After checking in at the Y and  taking a relaxing shower Elmer will make a bee line to  Pootsy's Place to chow down on some smoked pork chops, string beans, okra, and creamy mashed potatoes washed down with ice cold sweat tea.  After he's finished the main course he plans on eating a big ol piece  of peach cobbler.    Elmer knows that no one on the face of the earth makes a finer peach cobbler than Pootsy herself.... although this time  he will skip the large scoop of peach ice that usually adorns the top of the cobbler .... Elmer's is trying to watch his waist line or as his wife spells it out W A S T E  L I N E.    After a long day on the railroad and some great food in his belly Elmer is sure he'll sleep well tonight.  He might even watch the Brooklyn Dodgers game tonight before turning in.

The new crew includes fireman Gibby Judd and headend brakeman Clause Cringle.  They get down to the first order of business ... making sure the tender tank is topped off.  

611's new engineer, Full Throttle Thornton ... known as FT by all the railroaders, climbs aboard.  He's been known to take the 611 to 110 mph and hold her there on long straightaways. Old FT is quite a legend in his own time!   He sure can put some miles behind him.  That's for sure!!

With a full tank of water and FT at the throttle 611 is on it's way!  

Hey Patrick, once again, another great story and awesome pictures. Clause Cringle, Full Throttle Thorton, and Gibby Judd - love it!

Curt. Wow do those blue bonnets stand out. As I have said before these F units set the standard for diesels for me. Wished I could have had a set when I was  a kid but glad I have them now.

Hey farmerjohn, yeah some of those old “F” units are worth a lot of money, but I like the newer stuff with the awesome sound systems. My passenger cars on my Santa Fe Chief set are the old “Surf Liner” set. I will have to take a picture of them.

FOR TODAY:  " Jake and Buford working a way freight in west Patsburg."

@trumpettrain posted:

For Today: " The Crew Change ....

Engineer Elmer Fadely gently eases the 611 to a full stop.  He's been at the throttle for quite some time and it's now time to change crews.  

Practically all Elmer could think about since mile post 317 is sitting down to a nice supper at Pootsy's Place, a local restaurant known for larger portions and  extremely popular among railroaders.  Some 8 years and 40 pounds ago Elmer's walked through the front door of Pootsy's and has been a regular ever since that day when he took his first bite of Pootsy's homestyle cookin!   The sign that adorns Pootsy's Place reads " At Pootsy we are about  EQuality & EQuantity ... Extra Quality and Extra Quantity!"  Elmer is so regular that upon walking in the door, Poosty herself greats him with a big HELLO ELMER! as she leads him to his favorite booth near the window.  Elmer is always a generous tipper too, which certainly enhances his VIP reputation at Pootsys.

After checking in at the Y and  taking a relaxing shower Elmer will make a bee line to  Pootsy's Place to chow down on some smoked pork chops, string beans, okra, and creamy mashed potatoes washed down with ice cold sweat tea.  After he's finished the main course he plans on eating a big ol piece  of peach cobbler.    Elmer knows that no one on the face of the earth makes a finer peach cobbler than Pootsy herself.... although this time  he will skip the large scoop of peach ice that usually adorns the top of the cobbler .... Elmer's is trying to watch his waist line or as his wife spells it out W A S T E  L I N E.    After a long day on the railroad and some great food in his belly Elmer is sure he'll sleep well tonight.  He might even watch the Brooklyn Dodgers game tonight before turning in.

The new crew includes fireman Gibby Judd and headend brakeman Clause Cringle.  They get down to the first order of business ... making sure the tender tank is topped off.  

611's new engineer, Full Throttle Thornton ... known as FT by all the railroaders, climbs aboard.  He's been known to take the 611 to 110 mph and hold her there on long straightaways. Old FT is quite a legend in his own time!   He sure can put some miles behind him.  That's for sure!!

With a full tank of water and FT at the throttle 611 is on it's way!  

Yes indeed  Patrick, nothing like a delicious hot dinner after a full day of real work'.. I wish I could join Elmer, for some of those smoked pork chops, and mash'...  A great little story Pat'... made me hungry....  🥢 👍😉

Curt. I agree  with the new units. Here is  my set on a high line crossing a trestle.

Wow, 194 pages of fun to review pictures and videos from all over the country, do to modern technology…. Beautiful pictures everyone…. Happy Railroading Everyone. A friend brought over his Southern Pacific set yesterday and here it is…

That Southern Pacific Daylight is a beautiful set. Saw the video of the restored version going up Cajon Pass near San Bernardino, California.

Hey farmerjohn, looks great on your spectacular trestle.

For today:  With number 97 having just taken on water at the tank, engineer Bulldog Murson and fireman Skeet Marx stretch their legs as they've been told it will be a while now before their next assignment.  In the background Western Maryland 724 is on the service track.

Pat, getting out and stretching legs is always good

MTH PA-1

Hey Patrick, What, no one brought a thermos of coffee? I bet Skeet’s wife sent along some homemade cookies for their break.